Wilson Chandler likely to begin practicing with Nuggets in January

Wilson Chandler could be back at practice for the Nuggets in the first week of the new year. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images) Denver Nuggets guard-forward

Wilson Chandler could be back at practice for the Nuggets in the first week of the new year. (Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets guard-forward Wilson Chandler will likely begin practicing with the team in the first week of the new year after sitting out since Nov. 12 to rehabilitate his hip and groin.

Head coach George Karl said that Chandler, 25, is still a far way from playing in a game but might begin practicing in the first week of the new year, according to a report from Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post.

Chandler returned to Denver in mid-March after a brief stint in China during the NBA lockout. He signed a five-year, $37 million deal but played in only eight games because of the nagging hip injury.